Ok Roger, all cheap bags are not made equal. What type was it?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
The one that dumped the kit on the jetty wasn't even especially cheap, merely Italian (Bach'o, now understandably out of business). But that's not the only defective bag I've encountered. Bear in mind that for years Frances covered camera bags for Shutterbug magazine, and sometimes gets given bags. We don't necessarily use them for camera gear, but some have ripped/broken when being used to carry e.g. books. This has NEVER happened with good-quality bags from current major makers, though.
Cheers,
R.
rulnacco
Well-known
I've got a Hadley Small, which is excellent for one body and four lenses (if you can score one of the rings that holds a lens on each side back to back, you can get an extra lens into a small bag easily). I got it for a reasonable price here in London, but they do go for shocking amounts in the US, I see from checking out Amazon and eBay just now.
If you're on a budget, I'd look at one of the Domkes. I've got a J-series bag that's almost 15 years old, and it's still going strong. The F-803s are just about right-sized for a Leica system. And they have another advantage--the Billinghams look brilliant when they're new, but it seems such a shame to get them dirty, especially the tan or green ones. They actually look a bit dowdy when they get old and weathered, sort of like a grand dame past her prime and not so careful about her toilette anymore. The Domkes, being working bags, wear their age and adventures more gracefully in my opinion, and in fact seem to become even more attractively distinctive with use. And they're designed for quickness and convenience, a definite plus for street shooting.
If you want to get something really nice and compact--if a bit posh--see if you can track down one of the hand-made Fogg bags second hand. You will not want to pay what a new one costs! I managed to stumble across one of the legendary Celias, in nicely-patinated condition, for the equivalent of about $65. A rare find, to be sure, but they're brilliant for a body and two-lens kit, and other than not being quite as weatherproof as a Billingham, they're wonderful.
If you're on a budget, I'd look at one of the Domkes. I've got a J-series bag that's almost 15 years old, and it's still going strong. The F-803s are just about right-sized for a Leica system. And they have another advantage--the Billinghams look brilliant when they're new, but it seems such a shame to get them dirty, especially the tan or green ones. They actually look a bit dowdy when they get old and weathered, sort of like a grand dame past her prime and not so careful about her toilette anymore. The Domkes, being working bags, wear their age and adventures more gracefully in my opinion, and in fact seem to become even more attractively distinctive with use. And they're designed for quickness and convenience, a definite plus for street shooting.
If you want to get something really nice and compact--if a bit posh--see if you can track down one of the hand-made Fogg bags second hand. You will not want to pay what a new one costs! I managed to stumble across one of the legendary Celias, in nicely-patinated condition, for the equivalent of about $65. A rare find, to be sure, but they're brilliant for a body and two-lens kit, and other than not being quite as weatherproof as a Billingham, they're wonderful.
Highway 61
Revisited
Haha ! Now Fogg bags.
If there was something even screaming "$$$$ Leica photo gear inside !" louder and wider than the Billinghams, the Fogg bags sure were.
Hey - the OP is "a college student with no substantial income". He asked for something well built, reliable, providing good protection for the gear (bumps, rain, dust, etc), durable, and under $100.
Apart from the Mekko bags, there is nothing such out there. And the Mekkos are really excellent products (exact same quality as the Domkes, but with all-metal carrying strap buckes while the Domkes' are plastic...).
kanzlr
Hexaneur
the Mekkos are nice, indeed.
And my FOGG contains two Nikons, no matter what it screams
And my FOGG contains two Nikons, no matter what it screams
Only to other Leica geeks though...
meanstreetshooter
Established
On a budget...
On a budget...
For now, I would go with a Black Domke F-803 and one insert. I got mine from the 'bay under $100.00 with postage. You will need the coupling ring for your two lenses in the insert. Or make sure you have front and rear caps. You will have enough room for the M4 and a normal lens with hood. I have this set-up and it's just fine.
Later, when you have more cash you can get the Billingham. You can then use the Domke for your laptop or book bag.
On a budget...
For now, I would go with a Black Domke F-803 and one insert. I got mine from the 'bay under $100.00 with postage. You will need the coupling ring for your two lenses in the insert. Or make sure you have front and rear caps. You will have enough room for the M4 and a normal lens with hood. I have this set-up and it's just fine.
Later, when you have more cash you can get the Billingham. You can then use the Domke for your laptop or book bag.
Phantomas
Well-known
There is no substitute for Billingham. Or Domke. Own two of each would never settle for anything else.
Speaking of budgets, my Billingham 445 came secondhand, well below $200 and in a very good condition. We're talking huge bag here.
Speaking of budgets, my Billingham 445 came secondhand, well below $200 and in a very good condition. We're talking huge bag here.
Highway 61
Revisited
Nope. Now street thieves know Leica gear value very well and the Billinghams are perfectly spotted and famous as for Leica gear containers in any large and crowdy city believe me.
The F-803 is very nice too, Mekko also sells it (100% identical to the Domke, same difference re. the strap buckles - metal on the Mekko, plastic on the Domke - but less expensive, and with very well made inserts included).
Just wear some black thick cotton clothes in the plain summer on a very sunny day and you'll all get the idea.
Clear colors only (tan, sand, light khaki at the very most) for photo bags !
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I'm not arguing, as you clearly know more about this than I, but I'd be interested if you could share your evidence for this.
Cheers,
R.
Any proof of this? I don't see any indication of this in NYC. Perhaps in other parts of the world?
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maybe i should use an old domke for my new york trip instead of my new billingham!
where does think tank fit into the robber mind set?
where does think tank fit into the robber mind set?
I've walked around in many parts of NYC and nobody ever cared about our non-DSLR cameras. I've even lied and said my leica M9 was a film camera. People tend to exaggerate this stuff. Most of NYC is camera dumb. Now, are there theives that are also photographers... yes, I'm sure there are.
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i was kidding...i never have had problems walking in nyc...'i pity the fool'...
Highway 61
Revisited
Of course. There is NYC, and the rest of the world...
Roger : go to, say, Paris (let's exclude Barcelona, Marseille or Rome on purpose). Then have some coffee (or tea, or beer
) outside, and leave your (empty) Billingham bag on the next chair (don't forget to lock it to something secure !) ; then, look around carefully, and open your ears.I also recommend that you tested the subway line n°12 with a well visible Billingham, especially between Notre-Dame de Lorette and Porte de la Chapelle. Not only in the trains but walking in the corridors. Ah and the Concorde station corridors between lines 12 and 1 of course.
Not arguing either, nor saying the world (including its NYC part
) is filled with Leica thieves, but just reporting what I've noticed.I have many friends owning Billinghams and I also trust in what they honestly reported to me.
In the big nowhere.
Sparrow
Veteran
... the crack-addicts may well have put a lot more effort into brand awareness since you were last there, you never know
Which billingham BTW?
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L2...a great sized bag...
Highway 61
Revisited
He said it : a new one
back alley
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He said it : a new one
i only have new bags...well, mostly...
Highway 61
Revisited
I never had problems walking (a lot) in Toronto either.
More seriously : back in the 1980's the Billinghams were just robust and very seriously made photo bags and were a good looking alternative for the rather crude Domkes (well, personally I dislike the Billinghams' fishermen's bags allure and their too soft canvas feeling, as well as their scratchy inserts, but there is no personal rant here, I swear) but now they're indeed fashion labelled and really gather many spotting lookouts, probably because many "connected" people very often confuse them with that thing (click).